Cubs Announce Bullpen Moves

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The Chicago Cubs enter Friday’s game against the Seattle Mariners currently one-and-a-half games back of the NL Central lead.

Their goal is to get into the playoffs for the first time since 2020, and winning the division would ensure that happens.

Sitting with a record of 7-5, that is largely due to their offensive outburst.

Pitching has been a major issue for the Cubs as they have dealt with injuries to two of their starters and poor output from their relief staff.

Because of that, they announced some changes to the bullpen.

According to Bruce Levine of 670 the Score, Chicago outrighted Jose Cuas to Triple-A and called up Keegan Thompson.

Cuas was acquired via trade last season and performed well during his 27 appearances, posting a 3.04 ERA and 149 ERA+. That has not translated to this year, though, as he he’s given up eight earned runs over six innings pitched.

Thompson was once considered a Top-30 prospect in the Cubs’ pipeline before making his Major League debut in 2021, but he never was able to stick, rotating between the MLB and minors.

After being used as a reliever and starter in 2022, he was solely used out of the bullpen last year where he posted an ERA of 4.71 across his 19 appearances.

Chicago is looking for reliable relievers at the moment.

They rank 26th in the league with a 5.43 ERA.

The Cubs are hoping that Thompson can turn into the pitcher that he was billed to be when they took him in the third round of the 2017 MLB Draft.